Knocking.....

woggledog · May 19, 2005

Haven'tr been able to reproduce it, but at slow speeds when turning there is a knocking sound which comes from the car

is this the dreaded ball joints?

jason_l · May 19, 2005

possibly!!!!

I have the same on mine, had the balljoints replaced and still it knocks, have been told that it could be some small clips on the calipers, does yours do it when braking and turning or just turning?

Jason :P

crazylex · May 19, 2005

This has been discussed many times.

Generally speaking the noise goes if you have new pads fitted, and there is copper grease on the back, this seems to stop it, it did on mine.

I actually think what happens is that when your linings are low, the front calipers have two pistons in each, one above the other, and when turning with almost full lock on in a parking manouver say, I think the top one comes out a fraction slower than the bottom one, which then makes the pad catch and click in the caliper, when you are turning and manouvering you are really only just applying the brakes and so the top ones not actually out enough to brake.

This is my theory, never proved it though.

Change your brakes, grease em up and make sure the new pads are free and not catching inside the caliper at the top or bottom.

The brakes are a doddle to change, there is an explanation in the tech pages of this site.

crazylex · May 19, 2005

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, don't be coned into think its the retaining springs - i was , paid 30 odd quid and it storted knocking a few weeks later, i think it stopped for a bit because of the new copper grease.

have a look at the springs, any one who pays £36 for these has been totally ripped off, even at Lex prices. tHEY LOOK LIKE A STRAIGHTENED PAPER CLIP.

Get some pads for £20 and fit em. If you can use a spanner you can do it in a suit trousers on your dinner - like me !

trinilex · May 23, 2005

Hey, that is some good advice. My front is knocking, I think its the pads now after reading this thread, I was going and service the clips too.............thanks

trinilex..........

jason_l · May 24, 2005

had my car checked out on the weekend to look at the knocking noise. i am missing one of the bent paper clip spring things on the front, does anyone know if you get a set of these with new pads?????? anyway had it all copper greased up and the knocking has stopped, but for how long?????